Independence

I am on pastoral care duty this week.  It seems fitting that today is Independence Day as I consider we are all moving in that direction.  Today is the day of our release, or tomorrow, or even fifty years from now. We are all on our way.  We are all getting used to the idea.  The arms of God are wide open to catch us.

Independence.

Today I reflect

On another sort.

As fireworks explode

In the distance;

As the gym is unusually full 

For a weekday;

As I stand next to the bed

Of a dying man,

I remember today

May be Independence Day

For any number of folk

Or maybe it will tomorrow

Or the next day even.

The man has already taken

A turn toward independence.

The fact of the Fourth of July

Is neither here

Nor there.

The man

Is already on his way.

He is getting used

To the idea.

The arms of God

Are wide open

Waiting.

This is independence

Of a different sort

But Independence

All the same.